Hello, pandas, it’s Punny! Your artist, who studies and shares marketing tips, insights into the life of illustrators, and updates on my magical action project, Witch’s Pie.
Let’s talk about how we expect an artist’s life to be and how it actually plays out.
Usually, the passion for drawing comes from cartoons.
Anime or other 2D-style cartoons, followed by comics, inspire us to replicate what we see on the screen. Bold heroes, epic battle scenes with monsters and dragons, beautiful yet evil villains, and meticulously crafted worlds help us escape boredom or pain, feel inspired, and want to draw something similar — starting with fan art and eventually creating our own worlds.
The feeling of having fans who love your world is indescribably wonderful! People recognize your creativity, values, and imagination. It’s truly amazing when someone wants to share your world with you.
And so, we pick up a pencil.
In our heads, everything looks perfect: smooth lines, brilliant colors, and dynamic characters coming to life on paper. You can’t wait to show your drawing to friends, family, or a Facebook group… but instead, you’re asked to fix things — “The neck is too long,” “The hands are weird,” “The eyes are wonky,” “What’s up with the pose?” Our brain tends to ignore these issues because it embellishes what we like.
Expectation: You’re a genius from the first sketch.
We often assume everything will be fine and that we won’t face any challenges. Even after 10 years of experience, you might think, “I’ve got this.” Trust me, even top artists deal with problems like “accepting their style,” achieving the right flow in their forms, balancing realism and emotion, and making their work feel unique.
You sit down, inspired by the latest episode of Demon Slayer or a chapter of Berserk. A clear image forms in your head: a warrior in armor with a flowing cape, surrounded by magical light, or a cute heroine with giant eyes and perfect bangs. You’re sure your hand will naturally create a masterpiece because you’ve seen others do it, and it all looks flawless in your imagination.
Reality: Wobbly lines and weird proportions.
Your first attempt is far from perfect. The lines tremble, as if your pencil is breakdancing, and your character’s proportions look more like a potato with limbs than a graceful elf. The eyes are uneven, and the hero’s sword looks like a bent stick. You stare at your sketch and think, “Did I draw this? Maybe I should just stick to watching anime instead of trying to create something myself.”
The disappointment hits hard, and 80% of people give up at this stage. It’s actually part of human nature to avoid discomfort. And now, with AI tools… why spend 5-8 years learning to draw when a robot can generate an image that you can tweak a bit in Photoshop? What a clever trick to weaken people’s resolve.
Art schools can be divided ideologically into two camps:
Learn from nature and draw based on your memory and observations.
Use photos, other artists’ illustrations, and AI to create your work — but don’t copy exactly, or you’ll be accused of plagiarism.
There’s also a myth that artists are fountains of talent, overflowing with ideas. One scene flows effortlessly into the next, and they can sit for hours, drawing narratives while inspiration pours out. Sometimes this does happen, especially when you’re getting praise. Compliments are like a morning energy boost — like a cup of coffee with peanut butter toast.
Reality: A blank page and creative block.
You open your sketchbook, pick up a pencil… and nothing. No ideas, or too many, but none that seem good enough. You start drawing but get distracted after five minutes and check memes about Genshin Impact on your phone. Inspiration doesn’t follow a schedule, and the blank page stares back at you accusingly.
When you compare a picture you drew six months ago with one you draw today, it might seem like you’ve clearly improved. Over time, your skills refine, you master multiple styles, your illustrations become recognizable, you gain fans, and you start making sales.
Reality: Slow growth and harsh self-criticism.
Progress happens, but it’s slower than you’d like. After a month, your lines might be slightly smoother, and your proportions a bit more accurate, but you’re still far from your favorite manga artists. Friends say, “That’s cool!” but you only see the flaws — a crooked hand here, unnatural shadows there. Self-criticism becomes your worst enemy, and comparing yourself to professionals only makes it worse. Sales? Nowhere in sight.
Don’t be discouraged if you recognize yourself in these situations. The gap between expectations and reality is part of every artist’s journey, especially if you’re inspired by anime, manga, and fantasy. Be patient and persistent. If you quit today, you’ll set yourself back to level -1 by the time you reconsider a week later. Take a break if you start feeling frustrated with art, especially when game studios tell you you’re “not strong enough” for their job openings.
Here are some tips to keep your motivation and discipline alive:
Embrace your mistakes as part of the process. Even great mangaka like Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) started with clumsy sketches. Mistakes aren’t failures — they’re lessons.
Set small goals. Don’t aim to draw an epic battle scene right away. Start simple: an anime-style eye, a sword, or clothing folds. Gradually, everything will come together. Build the structure!
Seek inspiration, but don’t blindly copy. Study the works of your favorite artists, analyze their style, and add your own twist. Maybe your dragon will have feathers instead of scales!
Practice regularly. Even 15 minutes a day is better than an hour once a month. Drawing is a skill that grows with consistent effort.
Celebrate small victories. Nailed a smooth line? Awesome! Created an expressive gaze? Celebrate it! Every step brings you closer to your dream.
Reality can be harsh, and only warriors with strong spirits survive.
Drawing, like any creative pursuit, is a journey, not a destination. Get to know yourself better — why do you draw the way you do?
Yes, your early works might not be on the level of Studio Ghibli or Attack on Titan, but that’s the point. You are you! Over time, you’ll see your expectations and reality start to align. Your hero with the crooked sword will become a true warrior, and the blank page will no longer intimidate you with thoughts like, “I’m drawing, but what’s the point?”
Pick up your pencil or stylus, turn on the Naruto soundtrack, and draw. Reality may not be perfect yet — it’s just waiting for you to shape it into what you envision in your imagination.
In the meantime, come and check out the progress on the creation of the project Witch's Pie – a magical action story about girls who will become enemies.
